Wednesday, March 26, 2008

It's amazing how great it feels to get the most mundane things done sometimes. In my case, it has been the process of collaging all of the backgrounds for a new children's book. But today really took a great leap. After having done all of the collage work, I was finally able to start adding the background color which is a cadmium red. I know it seems crazy to paint all of the groundwork that I just spent numerous hours creating, but it pays off big time by the time my final illustrations are done. The only problem now is to find space to leave all of these wet sheets. Good thing I am not currently using my ironing board! So, on to the next stage which is adding all of the detail work. I have 28 of these illustrations to finish in the next 5 weeks and am sure to have many a late nights. Within the next 2 weeks I should be able to start posting some of the actual images for you.

In other news, am working on getting a children's book illustration exhibit going here at the Elk River Arts Alliance gallery. I think it could really be a fun opportunity to display some of the illustrations I have done for various books and create a fun little work space in the gallery for the kids to create their own magical stories. Hopefully I will have a date for that in the next few days and will be sure to spread the word when I find out. Until then, have fun creating!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

After a little over a month of concepting and sketching for the new children's book I have been working on, I can say that I am working on some of the finals! It feels great to see the illustrations come to life and am excited to get them all to a final point. Soon I will be able to post some of the pictures to give you an idea of the book. The only problem now is the fact that the sun is staying out longer and it is more tempting to go out and enjoy the weather. Ohh well, even nicer days will soon be here! Since I can't show the illustrations yet, I have attached an image of a painting that I did a little while back of Costellos in St. Paul.

After seeing the Neocounter on a number of other websites and blogs, I have decided to take a test drive with it. The add-on is one that will allow you to see where some of my visitors are coming from in the world. I am going to try it with just the country listing for now and hope to see what kind of variety shows up. The only bad thing is that the previous 8000 visitors to the site won't be counted, but that's ok. I look forward to seeing where the current traffic is coming from and am anxious to see how many countries stop by for a visit. If you are curious yourself, the new Neocounter will be located just below my about me section of the blog.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

As I have eluded to in some previous posts, I have been busy working on the groundwork for a new children's book that will be out later this year. After a number of weeks in the studio working on the character designs, illustration layout and sketching for the entire interior, I have been working on the actual "ground" in which the illustrations will be painted on. The only problem, is using gel medium to randomly paste lots and lots of little ripped up pieces of magazines. Now I know, you may wonder what and why I do this. It is for the great texture that comes out in the end product. In the many times I have used gesso and just gel medium to produce texture, I just haven't been satisfied with the outcome as much as this process. For those of you who have seen the owl book of mine, you will know of the texture I am talking about. So, the good thing is the end product is a great illustration with wonderful texture. The bad is the fact that I have only 8 of these grounds complete and I have 18 more to go. Anyone want to come over and join in the fun?

Saturday, March 1, 2008

The last few weeks I have been checking out the Gocco's that Janet over at A Planet Named Janet has been creating. They really have been fun to see the variety in entertainers that she has chosen. She even did one on Alan Greenspan. So, after seeing Johnny Cash and Dean Martin and the like come out, I send an email to see if she would consider doing any bluesman, and to my surprise and excitement, there was a Muddy Waters image a few days later. Needless to say, I had to get one and am anxious to have it arrive in the mail. You should check out her work and see the fun things that she has been working on over in PA.

I don't know if I am the only one that thinks this, but where did Feb. go? I just can't believe that it is March already and that we move our clocks ahead next week. Maybe it is because I have been stuck in my studio lately and the days just seem to melt together. The good news is that I was able to get out for a little bit today to drop off a painting that will be in the Elk River Arts Alliance 1st member show in their new gallery. The show runds from March 6th to April 12th. It is located at 716 Main Street in Elk River, MN and the Grand Opening for the new gallery and exhibit is Saturday March 8 from 5-7pm. I hope to see some of you there! The piece that will be in the show of mine is the "Mill City Museum" painting that I did last spring and is an oil on linen and measure 60" x 48".